Niners Nation
Mykel Williams stood up for himself in an interview, while Alfred Collins was ranked DT3. Find out more of what anonymous scouts had to say about the 49ers’ draft class
One of our favorite post-NFL Draft activities involves examining what actual scouts and NFL personnel think of the players the San Francisco 49ers selected, with a caveat: through the lens of what was said about them before the picks were made.
One of Fred Warner’s weaknesses in his scouting report was, “Will click motor off and coast at times when he’s on the back side of the play. Tackle consistency may be a concern on the next level. Unclear what his best positional fit is.”
This article features pre-draft quotes from football executives via Bob McGinn’s annual draft series and The Athletic’s Draft Confidential, courtesy of Bruce Feldman.
Let’s take a look at what insiders had to say about the 49ers’ selections in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Williams was fourth in McGinn’s edge rusher rankings behind Abdul Carter, Jalon Walker, and Shemar Stewart.
4. MYKEL WILLIAMS, Georgia (6-5, 267, 4.77, 1): Suffered an ankle injury in the opener, missed time and played 12 games. At the combine, he said he was “less than 60%” for the balance of the season. “He’s been beat-up,” one scout said. “He just doesn’t have the production you would expect out of his traits. I interviewed him. He got really fired up when I started asking him about teams banging on him on production. He said, ‘I can’t wait for this. I played what the coaches told me to play. I two-gapped a lot and they put me inside a lot of times. I’m an edge rusher, and I can have 10 sacks on the edge.’ That’s his narrative.” In 2022, Georgia edge Travon Walker (6-5, 270, 4.59, 35 ½ arm) was the first overall choice by Jacksonville. “Very similar,” the scout said. “Travon’s a little looser athlete. Definitely runs a lot better. Better in space. Mykel’s a little bit more of a power player where Travon could do a lot athletically.” Longest arms at the position (34 3/8). Hands were 10 ¼. “I thought this guy was better than Travon Walker,” a second scout said. “If he had had the year he was supposed to he would have challenged for the first pick in the draft. That didn’t happen.” Two-year starter. Finished with 67 tackles (23 for loss), 14 sacks and four passes defensed. “This is a true, 5, 6-technique but can play 4i,” said a third scout. “Has speed to power. Has enough bend and redirect. He can long-arm tackles off the edge. He was obviously really good last year and this year battled injuries. You can go look at the Texas game when he’s throwing guys around. You can’t have enough players like this.” Four-star recruit from Columbus, Ga. “He’s very similar to Travon Walker,” said a fourth scout. “Big tough-ass guy who looks like he should be...
